Our Board

The United Welsh Group is governed by a Board of non-executive members and three members of United Welsh’s Executive Team.  The Board is responsible for United Welsh’s strategy and policy framework.

The Shareholding Members, who elect a Board to oversee the running of the Association, own the Association.

The Board can set up committees to help with its work. United Welsh currently has two committees – the Audit & Risk Committee and the Remuneration & Governance Committee.

Responsibility for the day to day management of United Welsh and implementation of the policy framework is delegated to the Group Chief Executive who has an Executive Team to help.

 

Meet our Board

Grahame Sturges Chair of the Boar

“I recently retired from a long career in housing, including senior positions in the Local Authority and Housing Association sectors. I also serve on the Board of Caer Las Trading, the subsidiary of Caer Las Cymru, the Swansea based charity specialising in the promotion of social inclusion. I joined the United Welsh Board in 2012 and became Chair in July 2016.”

Bart Geere Board Member

“My career has been primarily in corporate banking in London and latterly, risk management of real-estate lending in Cardiff. I have recently retired from the role of Head of Credit Risk, Commercial Real-Estate at Optimum Credit. I live in Tremorfa, Cardiff, where I am actively involved with a community-focussed local church. I joined the Board in 2016.”

Damian Williams Chair of Audit & Risk

 

“I am a Chartered Certified Accountant with 10 years’ experience in the finance sector specialising in Audit & Assurance, Governance & Risk Management. My current role is Group Financial Controller for the Parts Alliance Group Limited. My interests are sports and charity fundraising. I joined the Board in 2014.”

Jeremy Brown Board Member

 

“My experience includes private, public and voluntary and sectors as Managing Director of a Healthcare consultancy and as County Director in Ceredigion. I also spent a year volunteering in India with my wife and sons. I joined the Board in September 2017.”

Phill Stokes Board Member

 

“With over 30 years industry experience, I set up my own Development and Housing Consultancy five years ago and now work with many clients in both the private and social housing sectors. I was born and bred in the Afan Valley and now live in Maesteg with my wife and two sons. I joined the Board in 2015.”

Gail Williams Board Member

 

“Following my retirement as Manager for Disability Wales, I now volunteer for NHS Education Programme for Patients; United Welsh and my church. I enjoy crafts and as a disabled person, I am passionate about all strands of equality and celebrating diversity. I joined the Board in 2015.”

Emma Tamplin Board Member

 

“With qualifications in Human Resource Management, I now work as Collaboration Manager at Chwarae Teg; a charity that promotes gender equality in the workplace. In my spare time I enjoy fundraising and volunteering. I joined the Board in 2016 and I am the Board Diversity Champion.”

Joanne Jones Board Member

 

“I am a Chartered Accountant currently working at the Wales Cooperative Centre as the Director of Finance and Resources. Since qualifying, I have gained over 13 years’ experience in the housing sector; auditing housing associations and as Head of Finance at Bron Afon. I joined the Board in November 2017.”

Richard Mann

 

“I joined United Welsh as a Director in 2005 and was appointed Group Chief Executive in December, 2021.  I am proud to have not only overseen growth in the numbers of properties delivered, but to also have been involved in the development of major regeneration programmes and environmental innovation. I am a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Building) and have served as the Chair of Community Housing Cymru’s Technical Services. I joined the Board in 2018.”

Neil Chidgey Board Member

 

“I joined United Welsh in 2019 as Group Finance Director. I am a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and have Director experience of over 25 years. I have worked extensively in the private sector and have experience in Housing Development, Construction and Support Services, including Social Housing Maintenance. I have worked with a number of Local Authorities and Housing Associations.”

“With a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Certified Healthcare CIO (CHCIO) qualifications, I have worked within the health service for twenty years and currently as a Deputy Director of IT. I am passionate about co-creating value through partnerships and advancing value-based outcomes for the communities we serve. I joined the Board in 2021.”

 

 

Y Borth United Welsh

Meet our Executive Team

Richard Mann

 

Richard has worked in the Housing Sector for over 20 years and was appointed Group Chief Executive of United Welsh in December 2021.

He started his career in housing development in Hampshire, overseeing a major regeneration programme in Basingstoke. Returning to Wales in 2000, he was employed as the Development Manager for Cardiff Community Housing Association.

Richard joined United Welsh as a Director in 2005. He has overseen a significant expansion in the number of homes delivered and led on major award-winning regeneration programmes, including the transformation of well-loved community buildings such as the Caerphilly Miners’ Hospital and Bargoed’s Hanbury Chapel.

He is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Building) and has served as the Chairman of Community Housing Cymru’s Technical Services.

 

richard.mann@unitedwelsh.com

Neil Chidgey Board Member

 

Neil joined United Welsh in 2019 as Group Finance Director.

He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and has Director experience of more than 25 years. Neil has worked extensively in the private sector and has experience in Housing Development, Construction and Support Services including Social Housing Maintenance and has worked with a number of Local Authorities and Housing Associations.

 

neil.chidgey@unitedwelsh.com

Huw was appointed as Executive Director of Resources in May 2019 after joining United Welsh as Head of IT.

Huw brings private sector experience to the team having provided IT solutions to the Logistics and Manufacturing sectors. Prior to joining United Welsh, Huw carried out a technology transformation programme for one of Wales’ leading digital and media agencies.

 

huw.davies@unitedwelsh.com